For the second time the International Musical Olympus Foundation presented young musicians, winners of the most prestigious international musical contests in Baku – to a standing ovation. With the Foundation’s support and within the V Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Festival the young musical elite from the USA, Russia, and Lithuania performed at the Grand Hall of the Magomayev Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall.

On September 20, 21, and 22 concerts of the Musical Olympus Festival took place in the capital of Azerbaijan. Under the accompaniment of the Bogdan Varhala Slovak State Chamber Orchestra saxophonist Ashu from the US (1 prize, The International Salon de Virtuosi Career, New York, USA, 2008) and Russian pianist Varvara Nepomnyashchaya (1 prize, Géza Anda international piano competition, Zurich, Switzerland, 2012) performed in the Baku Philharmonic hall. They played musical pieces by А. Glazunov, А. Piazzolla, J. Bach, F. Chopin, and others.

The orchestra was led by the conductor from Azerbaijan - Ayyub Guliyev (I prize - Giuseppe Sinopoli Award, Arturo Toscanini International Competition, Parma, Italy, 2010), many times participant of the Musical Olympus Festival in St Petersburg and the winner of the Festival’s Audience award. The concert series concluded with the performance of the Lithuanian Piano Duo - Vilija Poskute & Tomas Daukantas (2 prize, the ARD International Music Competition, Munich, Germany, 2005). The musicians presented to the public the works by M. Ravel, F. Liszt, and P. Tchaikovsky.

“We are happy to continue our cooperation with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of culture and tourism of Azerbaijan. Thanks to them we had the opportunity to once again present in Baku our musicians within the Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Festival”, says Irina Nikitina, President of the Musical Olympus Foundation. “The Baku audience is very sincere and understanding. The listeners have been conquered by Ashu’s temperament, Varvara’s thoughtful performance, and the striking ensemble of Poskute & Daukantas. The musicians’ talent and mastery was worthily appreciated”.

International Musical Olympus Festival is organized in St Petersburg annually since 1996. The Festival’s main goal is supporting young talented musicians in the beginning of their career path, the only criteria being their mastery and talent. To this end the Foundation organizes concerts and presentations in Zurich, New York, Berlin, Singapore, and other cities worldwide. In 2012, the Foundation for the first time presented its musicians in Baku within the Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Festival. Only the best participants of the Festival in St Petersburg get the opportunity to perform at the Foundation’s concerts abroad.